Growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and economic outcomes of organic Hereford bulls in a forage-based system on coastal grasslands

Authors

• Alo Tänavots Estonian University of Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3007-5268
• Meelis Ots Estonian University of Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0567-7999
• Katri Kall Estonian University of Life Sciences
• Marek Tepper Estonian University of Life Sciences
• Haldja Viinalass https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2334-7056
• Kristi Kerner Estonian University of Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6113-610X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.178232

Keywords:

organic farming systems, pasture feeding, average daily gain, carcass conformation, beef quality, production economics

Abstract

Year-to-year variation in animal performance under stable organic forage conditions remains insufficiently understood. To address this, growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and economic indicators were compared in Hereford bulls from two birth years (2022 and 2023) finished under an organic, forage-only system on coastal grasslands in Saaremaa, Estonia. Two birth-year groups were compared to assess the impact of forage variability. Bulls born in 2023 achieved higher average daily gain (1176.40 ± 138.80 vs. 1086.19 ± 113.38 g day^-1) and superior carcass conformation scores (3.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.45 ± 0.51) without compromising tenderness (WBSF 22.02–24.94 N) or water-holding capacity. Meat composition differences were minor but included higher protein (21.57 ± 0.31 vs 21.27 ± 0.43 g 100 g^-1) and intramuscular fat (IMF) (1.57 ± 0.54 vs. 0.85 ± 0.73 g 100 g^-1) in 2023 bulls. Economic analysis revealed a 36% increase in feeding costs (155 to 211 € per animal) and a decline in marginal yield (1.94 to 1.53 kg €⁻¹), partially offset by higher carcass value (+123 € per bull). These findings highlight the importance of securing a stable forage supply and managing biological variability to maintain stability in organic beef systems.